Ashwater

Parish Hall News

After two years of hard work the lottery bid has been completed and submitted to The Big Lottery Fund. The second phase of the bid took many hours of work by a dedicated team, Malcolm Timney, John Forward and Peter Capron shouldering much of the work. The finished documentation is very impressive and reflects the efforts of all involved. The hall committee is proud of the finished application and we think it presents a strong case for a new hall in our parish. Now we have to wait for the BLF to scrutinise our bid. However, part of this will be a visit to the parish to see the site and interview the hall committee. We think an interview inside the present hall can only help our cause!

Anyone wishing to read through the application documents should contact Malcolm or a member of the hall committee. We are still pursuing other revenue funds for the new hall and of course there will still be events to support. The pledges for the new hall are still coming in (thanks to all who have supported with pledges) and there is still time to make your pledge. Look out for the forms at the next fund raising event.

Ashwater Parish Hall Events

Wednesday 19 March 2008

Ashwater Wildlife. An illustrated talk and pictorial presentation covering some of the varied and interesting species to be found in the parish. Parish Hall. Tickets £3.00 on the door.

Advance Notice Saturday 17th May 2008.

Make an entry in your diary for an evening of Music, Mirth and Memories. Do not miss this fantastic variety show. A relaxed ‘Fun Evening’ with ace raconteur Chris Batters and his one-man show £5.00 a head. (Under 16yrs accompanied by an adult – Free).

Ashwater Playgroup

Ashwater playgroup are holding a couple of fundraising events to help out with the costs of running the playgroup. They rely on fundraising to keep them going. During the Christmas holidays the school house was flooded and the rooms they use were damaged. They relocated to the Methodist Chapel and would like to thank them for accommodating them at such short notice. Ofsted have given them a certificate to operate from the chapel until the schoolhouse is repaired. Obviously they have incurred additional costs because of the move that cannot be claimed from their insurance and so would appreciate everyone’s support.

Events: March 1st Saturday from 2 to 4pm. Coffee afternoon with various stalls in the Methodist Chapel.
Easter Treasure Hunt 22nd March Saturday from 2pm on the village green. Cost 50p per child. There will also be an Easter Card competition again 50p per entry.
If you would like to sponsor the Easter Eggs then please contact Teresa Moon.

Parish Council

The new Parish Notice Board will be erected shortly by Trevor and Pete as soon as Planning is settled.
Grass cutting for the Village Green - Contract agreed, subject to necessary insurance, with Lesley Hughes.
Planning: A letter from the Inspectorate set the Appeal hearing for May 7th. Market Hall, Holsworthy. Anyone wishing to attend should apply. Info: Sheila Myers 01409 220212.
West Down stables approved.
Footpaths: Work on Quodditch path is complete and Eric reported that Ashwater footpaths are now in good condition.
Correspondence: Devon Countryside Access Forum has need for more members from those who have an interest in the countryside. Closing date Feb.29th. Details:Sheila Myers or Betty Batt 221666.
Trevor Moon was elected vice-chair and Adrian Littlejohns has joined the Council to complete the membership.
A letter signed by Lawrence Langston and Betty Batt is to be sent to TDC asking them to commit applied for funds to the building of the New Hall.
Regen SW is looking for info.on domestic renewable energy installations in the SW, partially funded RDA.Apply: J.Reddy 01392494322, Email: jreddy@regensw.co.uk
North Devon/Torridge core strategy report and Exeter as a Unitary Authority-Great changes afoot. Maria BaileyTDC will meet the Parish Council at 7.30p.m. at the March meeting to talk about it. Parishioners please come to join the discussion.
North Devon Biosphere & ANOB Discovery Day-March 16th at the Big Sheep.

From Our District Councilor

A number of issues are stirring emotions presently. Not the least of those is the imminent publication of this year’s council tax. Whilst the government insists that grants to local authorities have been increased for a period covering the next three years I ask you to judge this alongside the reality of the case; namely, and according to the Society of District Council Treasurers that 85% of districts will suffer a ‘real terms’ decrease in revenue funding.
Torridge District Council, Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, and the Devon and Somerset Fire Service each take their slice of the council tax - and, importantly, each is responsible for setting its own share. The council tax rates for this year are about to be publicized. I ask you to check not only each of the percentage changes for different services, but more importantly how much of your money each service will receive in relation to last year.

The prospect of a new village hall is exciting. With most things worthwhile the journey of achieving the ultimate goal may not be an easy one. The Community Centre in Holsworthy took many years to come to fruition. The Ashwater Village Hall Committee, now that planning permission for the new hall has been approved continues to work very hard to get other matters in place. I, for one, will keep pressing Torridge District Council in a search for alternative means of support.

I attended the February parish council meeting in the village hall. It was cold! (More ‘fuel’ towards having a new village hall!) Again, led by your Parish Chairperson, Betty Batt, the meeting progressed efficiently and effectively through a wide range of issues. I appreciate the huge contribution made by this committee and am fortunate, as the ‘link’ between Ashwater and Torridge District Council to have such a dedicated and motivated group on which we all rely.

My every best wish. District Councillor, Barry Parsons
PS My next surgery is on 5th March from 6.30 till 8pm please call me beforehand, if possible, on 01409 211234

Horticultural Society

Next meeting to be held on Monday 3 March at 7.30. There will be a talk from an organisation called "Secret Seeds". They will be giving us tips on seed sowing and the best way to collect seeds from our gardens.
Also, in June we are hoping to hold an open garden weekend and are looking for volunteers to open up their garden for visitors. We are looking at the weekend of 7/8 June and need approximately 12 gardens to make it worthwhile. It doesn't matter how big or small the garden is or whether it is a flower or vegetable garden. There would be a charge to enter the garden which would be donated to the horticulture club, but as we are not having a plant sale this year, if anybody wishes to sell plants, teas or produce from their garden then we think the charity of their choice would be a good idea. The idea came from the fact that we do not have a garden competition within the annual show time and as June is the best time for the flower gardens to be at their best.
You do not have to be a garden club member anybody is welcome to show off their garden!

Further Education

A very successful taster session took place in the Parish Hall when 11 people attended the Computer/Camera course run by TG Training. A full course has now been set up.
Get the most from your digital camera with this two session course to be held at Ashwater Parish Hall. The course will take place on four Mondays beginning 16th June, starting at 10:00 and finishing at 15:00.

• Learn how to take control of your camera to get the images you want.
• Learn how to edit and manipulate images.
• Find out how to use image-editing software.

Church News

The Rev. Debbie has now left us and the Church Wardens (Terry and Tony) and other members of the PCC will be arranging the services and other events to ensure that worship continues. The church will be run by its members until we have a new vicar, which might be some while. Please support us in any way you can. We look forward to seeing you at our services and our social events.

Treasurer

After a long period with no treasurer based in Ashwater, the PCC is pleased to announce that a new treasurer has now been appointed. Ali Rowe took over the books from the middle of February and is getting to grips with all the ins and outs of church finances. In due course she will be re-issuing the envelopes to regular givers; and will review the ‘Gift Aid’ Scheme to ensure that we are making as much from this as possible. If you do not currently use envelopes and would like to, please contact Ali at Henford. If you would like to make contributions by Direct Debit in future, you should also contact Ali, or ring her on 211222.

Fund-raising

There is now a team of people involved in arranging social and fund-raising events. We are arranging an event for every month, wherever possible and have already agreed a calendar for this year. This is given below so that you can put these dates in your diary now. If you would like to help any way, please contact the organiser shown for each event.

Church Social and Fund-Raising Calendar 2008

News From Devon County Council

Holsworthy projects get County Council cash boost
Five organisations in Holsworthy and the surrounding area have received cash boosts from their local Devon County Councillor Des Shadrick to help them achieve their goals.
Holsworthy Winter Fair, which brings together the local farming community for a day of entertainment, trade stands, exhibitions and a produce and craft market every November, received £250.
A grant of £500 went to Sutcombe Under Fives group to buy resources such as musical instruments, books and toys. The group is an important networking and meeting place for parents in the small community of Sutcombe, as well as introducing children to the Primary School before they officially enrol.
The Newton St Petrock Community Centre received an identical amount to fund solar powered lighting for its carpark, as did the Holsworthy St Peters Fair towards the purchase of a stage for live music events.
Bridgerule Parish Council has also been given £500 towards the production of a Parish Plan which will give an overview of the issues in the Parish and ways to start resolving them.

Women's Land Army

A new scheme acknowledges the tremendous efforts of the Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps by presenting their surviving members with a specially designed badge commemorating their service and acknowledging the debt that the country owes to them.
Members who wish to apply for a badge will need to complete a short application form. Applicants will need to supply their date of birth, approximate dates of service in the Women’s Land Army or Women’s Timber Corps, and the location at which they were stationed.
You can also obtain an application form by writing to : Defra, 5E Millbank, c/o 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.
Email: womenslandarmy@defra.gsi.gov.uk. Telephone: Defra Helpline 08459 335577.

Ashwater Parish Calendar

My thanks to those who provide articles for the newsletters. Copies will as always be available at the Post Office and in the Village Inn. Any information for inclusion in or offers to help please contact Peter Capron, my e-mail address is newsletter@ashwaterparish.org.uk.

Website designed by Anthony Williams and Henriette North.
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Last modified: Saturday March 15, 2008